Question & Answer – Where is UTAS Deed on Land Sale for STEM?

June 23, 2026

Meg Webb MLC asked the following question of the Education Minister, the Hon Jo Palmer MLC, during the Legisaltiev Council Question TIme on Tuesday 23 June 2026.
The Minister undertook to take the Question on Notice.
The Minister subsequently provided a response during the Legisaltive Council Question Time on Thursday 25 June 2026.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
HANSARD
Tuesday 23 June 2026

[Question Time excerpt…]

University of Tasmania – Land Sale

Ms WEBB question to MINISTER for EDUCATION, Ms PALMER

[2.51 p.m.]

Minister, my question relates to the undertaking provided by the University of Tasmania to execute a deed pole ensuring any revenue from the rezoned Sandy Bay campus land is hypothecated to the proposed STEM precinct at the Sandy Bay campus. Minister, in light of your previous advice provided to this place on 15 April that:

The government is confident that the university will deliver on its public commitment.

Can you now provide an update to the Chamber on the status of any such deed poll? Has it been finalised, and if so, what was the date of its finalisation? Has it been released publicly and if not, can you advise whether the government has made clear to the university that it expects the final deed poll to be made public, and if not, why not?

ANSWER

Mr President, I’m going to take that on notice, but I’ll commit to get an answer to you in this sitting.

——————————————————

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
HANSARD
Thursday 25 June 2026

[Question Time excerpt…]

QUESTION TIME

Answer to Question – University of Tasmania STEM Precinct

Ms PALMER – Mr President, on indulgence for the member for Nelson, I have a question I took on notice the other day. If you’re happy for me to answer that one? I did make a commitment that I would bring an answer to the House before the end of the sitting and it’s regarding the deed poll and the STEM precinct at the UTAS Sandy Bay campus. This matter actually rests with the Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy. However, I have sought some answers to your questions on your behalf.

The university has provided a written undertaking to commit funds arising from the rezoned land above Churchill Avenue, Sandy Bay to the future Sandy Bay STEM precinct. This commitment was made in writing by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Rufus Black, to the former Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy, Madeleine Ogilvie, on 1 December 2025. While the university has provided this assurance to the government, it has been made clear that the government expects the commitment to be formalised and made public through an appropriate mechanism, such as a deed poll or similar instrument, to provide transparency and confidence to the community. I’m advised that as the Tasmanian government has not made a commitment to purchase the rezoned land above Churchill Avenue, work on the deed poll has paused while further advice is sought on what is the most appropriate accountability mechanism.

I understand that in the interim, the university will also be writing to the state government reaffirming its commitment. That correspondence is expected by the end of this month, June, and I am advised this can be shared with members.

View Meg’s Question Time Question and the Government’s response below, or as a pdf here.

LC Hansard-Question-UTAS Deed Poll-Tues 23 & Thurs 25 June 2026